12 Least Successful Recastings Of Iconic Film Characters

1. Hayden Christiansen - Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader

Films: Star Wars - Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) & Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) Replacing: David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Sebastian Shaw & Jake Lloyd This may be a predictable pick for the top spot on this list, but there's no getting away from what still ranks as one of George Lucas' worst decisions regarding the Star Wars prequels. While Jar Jar Binks was arguably more offensive (at least on a racial level), the decision to cast a wooden pretty-boy as the younger version of Darth Vader is far more baffling. If no-one knew who Hayden Christiansen was before Star Wars, he made sure that he would never be forgotten. To quote To Boldly Flee, "fame is fleeting, but infamy is eternal". Much like Brandon Routh in Superman Returns, Christiansen was chosen from a very large number of people; the casting director reviewed over 1500 actor before Lucas was satisfied. Christiansen was cast because Lucas believed he had "the presence of the dark side" that was meant to build over Attack of the Clones and flourish tragically in Revenge of the Sith with the creation of Darth Vader. He even requested that a special Darth Vader suit be created for him in 'Sith, so that he could get a feel for how the newly-entombed Anakin would move his burned and battered body around. I will give Christiansen a little bit of credit: he is a better actor than Jake Lloyd from The Phantom Menace. But in every other conceivable aspect, he's just about the worst choice that you could have gone for. While Lucas' dialogue is poorly written and his direction is often non-existent, Christiansen's delivery is so off-kiltre that he makes the threatening moments seem silly and the softer, more romantic moments feel terribly creepy. He has no presence, no range and absolutely zero charisma, and inserting him into the newer editions of Return of the Jedi is beyond insulting. Disagree with my choices? Drop me a comment below or visit Mumby at the Movies for more reviews.